Trying to get an 83 633CSi

[E34 5er]

Hi guys,

So my dad has this friend, an older gentleman, who no longer really drives. Over the past year, I've been helping him out sell a few of his cars (Bentley, S-Class, Caddy's- big luxobarges). Now he has two cars left, I'm helping him fix one of em up, but the other is one I've had my eyes on since I first saw it- it's an 83 633CSi with something like just 60k miles on it (not sure if ODO is still working). My dad's friend is the original owner, it even has the original blue CA plates which I love. The car is black and black, and even though it's sitting in his garage for years, it looks to be mint. Only real negative is that it is an automatic. Of course, as it's been sitting it will need some serious work done. I'm really interested in buying it, but the owner is still being stubborn and doesn't seem to want to sell it... Until recently, he's given me some signs that he may want to move it soon.

So what do you guys think I should offer him if he does decide he wants to sell it? 1-owner E24's seem to be pretty rare, at the same time this one has been neglected for a while and will need some overhauling. I'll try to get some pics next time I'm at his place. Problem is it is in this underground garage and it is very dark down there, pics don't come out well with just a flashlight.

[Nullified]

That sounds like a great car to cherish, but only if you can garage it. Otherwise it would deteriorate quickly and become an average car.

Love to see pics, take an led construction lamp with you to light the area up.

[E34 5er]

Yeah, the plan is definitely to garage it, problem is I'll need to sell one of my cars currently sitting in my garage (I have a 300E in there that has never spent a single night of its' life sitting outside, would probably need to part ways with that one).

This E24 is like a time capsule, it has been sitting in this underground garage for a few years now (under a car cover). I'm guessing at the very least it's going to need a new alternator, battery, and fresh fluids and gas to get to turn over. I'm hoping the fuel and fluids haven't eroded too much, he would have it driven around the block up until a couple years ago so it shouldn't be too bad. It's also spent the entire life here in Southern California, so 0 rust on her.

[ross1]

Yeah, the plan is definitely to garage it, problem is I'll need to sell one of my cars currently sitting in my garage (I have a 300E in there that has never spent a single night of its' life sitting outside, would probably need to part ways with that one).

This E24 is like a time capsule, it has been sitting in this underground garage for a few years now (under a car cover). I'm guessing at the very least it's going to need a new alternator, battery, and fresh fluids and gas to get to turn over. I'm hoping the fuel and fluids haven't eroded too much, he would have it driven around the block up until a couple years ago so it shouldn't be too bad. It's also spent the entire life here in Southern California, so 0 rust on her.

Sounds like a nice find.
There is no reason it would need an alternator from disuse. Comprehensive fluid service and a fresh battery to get it going is all it needs.
Personally I would remove the spark plugs, squirt a teaspoon or so of oil into each cylinder and crank the engine while the plugs are still out until the oil pressure warning light goes out. Give the starter a break every 30 sec or so.
I've owner this car in the past. The engine has enough torque to make the automatic bearable and not having to shift sometimes has it's benefits,
Good luck!

[Bert Poliakoff]

He who speaks first loses. Get him to throw out the first number. Regardless of real value, trying to hit his number on a guess, you probably will be too low and piss him off or pay him more than you could have got it for. Again see what he has in mind and then you can go from there.

[E34 5er]

Thanks for all the advice guys, we'll see what happens, as I'm probably going this Sunday to help him out with his other car that needs fixing, I'll take a look at the Bimmer while I'm there.

In the meantime, here are pics I snapped from the last time I was there. I was correct in my recollection that the car has only 62k miles, again, not sure if the odometer is operational though.
IMG_4704.jpgIMG_4705.jpgIMG_4697.jpgIMG_4698.jpgIMG_4699.jpg

[E34 5er]

Here are a couple more less blurry pics:
IMG_4696.jpgIMG_4700.jpgIMG_4700.jpg

[Nullified]

Immaculate...